Newly elected Florida senator Marco Rubio, pictured here with his mother and family, is the the 39-year-old the son of Cuban exiles. Getty

November 3, 2010

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Marco Rubio nailed the Florida senate race on Tuesday, easily trouncing independent Charlie Crist and Democrat Kendrick Meek in a much-dissected contest. The charismatic, telegenic, and pious Rubio has oft been mentioned as a potential "Face of the Tea Party," and even before his widely praised victory speech on Tuesday night, speculation was rife that the small-government adherent might consider running for higher office — and possibly soon. After Rubio's speech, Sarah Palin commented that Rubio is "potentially a presidential candidate someday." But could that day, as some pundits say, come as early as 2012?